GLOBAL SHABBAT

This December, thousands of Jewish teens around the world will celebrate Global Shabbat—BBYO’s biggest Shabbat experience yet.

Each year, Holocaust survivors, business professionals, faith leaders, cross-cultural activists, politicians, and entrepreneurs join with Alephs and BBGs worldwide to share inspiring stories and take part in a meaningful, teen-led Shabbat experience. This year’s Global Shabbat program theme, “Let There Be Light,” will be embraced and elevated around the world through a diverse array of thoughtful programming designed to bring the community together around the lights of Shabbat.

Let There Be Light

This year's theme is Let There Be Light, which draws inspiration from the quote by the celebrated Jewish author, Noble Laureate, and Holocaust survivor, Elie Wiesel: "Even in darkness it is possible to create light." Let's bring light and love to all people everywhere through Global Shabbat and beyond. Get inspired for your Shabbat by watching a recap of Shabbat to Remember from International Kallah 2018.

Featured Gamechanger Guests and Partners

Check out some of the amazing guests and partners participating in BBYO's Global Shabbat 2018 worldwide.

Denver, CO | Featuring Habitat for Humanity at the University of Denver

Izmir, Turkey | Community Shabbat Dinner

Find Events Near You

Watch Global Shabbat events pop up all over the world, and while you're at it find one near you. Events will start popping up in November. If you want to get ahead of the curve, keep scrolling down and start planning yours!

Planning

Making meaningful moments for Global Shabbat will require some planning. Take a look through the questions and resources listed below to spark ideas and ensure you didn't forget anything. ‍‍If you're new to Global Shabbat, be sure to read over this Global Shabbat one-pager, which will provide context about the purpose of the initiative and what events have looked like in the past.‍If you still have questions after reading through the steps, that's totally cool. Feel free to contact your International Sh'lichim for planning support. Don't worry, we've got your back.

Step 0: Learn

Before you dive into the planning process, be sure to learn what's important to the success of your event. Review the goals and parameters of the initiative you're working toward, and understand key opportunities for innovation to elevate your experience from good to WOW.

Understand Event Goals, Parameters, and Opportunities

What is the purpose of this initiative?

How can you maximize creativity and innovation in working toward stated goals?

How can this effort be layered into your programming calendar to enhance your funnels?

Step 1: Ideate

Once you clearly understand the task at hand, IDEATE together with teen and staff leadership to build a unique experience that will best serve your community's needs within the context of the initiative. Do a community mapping exercise, clarify key responsibilities, and establish ambitious (and attainable!) goals.

Map Your Assets

What are the unique opportunities (and challenges) afforded by your community - including people, places, experiences, etc. - and how can you take full advantage of them to elevate your event?

What responsibilities are key to the success of this experience, and how will you divide the work (among specific teens and staff) to define expectations and share the load, while also leveraging individual skills?

Step 2: Strategize

With a clear vision to guide you, take time to STRATEGIZE everything you'll need to enable success. Solidify basic logistics, design your program budget, seek out partnerships, outline a clear marketing strategy and swag, designs, all while further elevating your program plan to produce a truly 'high res' experience.

Confirm the Basics

What are the key Who, What, When, Where and Why components of your event?

What program plan will you use to drive progress toward your desired outcomes?

Step 3: Hustle

Good things come to those who HUSTLE. Use branded templates and an all-in approach to promote your event early and often. Create smart online systems to stramline registration. Dig deeper to recruit more teens across all social circles, and make sure the press (and the Order!) hear about what you have planned.

Prep Marketing Materials

How can you leverage (and customize) available promotional items to build major buzz about your event through a variety of digital, print, and live sharing platforms?

Step 4: Execute

As you gear up for the big day, get ready to EXECUTE. Send out final reminders, walk through the event with your steering committee, prep supplies and swag for distribution, and BBYO-ify your venue. Steward prospects (and members) with intention, and surprise and delight your guests to leave a lasting impression.

Confirm Final Logistics

What unanswered questions remain, and how will you address them?

How can you use final pre-event reminders and confirmation messages to enhance overall buzz throughout your network?

How can you use branding and signage, as well as lighting, A/V, risers or other fun seating options, reserved VIP areas, and other venue elements to bring your space to life and enhance its fullness?

Steward Guests from Start to Finish

What expectations can you set and systems can you put in place to easily identify prospects (and under-active members) to ensure that all new attendees are well taken care of from the time they arrive to when they leave?

What fun surprises, snacks, and/or other program enhancements can you offer to ensure all attendees leave eager for more BBYO?

How will you share upcoming event information so everyone knows what's next?

Step 5: Retain

Take advantage of the shared energy and momentum from your event while it's fresh to make sure attendees keep coming back for more. Coordinate an individualized follow-up plan to gather input to inform future programs, say a heartfelt thanks to all involved, and close out the MRIHA model by making the Ask!

Collect Feedback

How can you use technology and/or individualized outreach to gather input from prospects and other attendees to help improve your community's WOW programs in the future?

Profile Picture

Customizable Flyer (w/ Guest)

Share the details about your event with this customizable flyer template. This flyer includes a space to upload a headshot for a special guest. Hang these flyers at all of your local hang out spots.Size: 8.5'x11''

Customizable Flyer (w/o Guest)

Poster

Hang the official Global Shabbat poster all over your city to create buzz and excitement. This poster is also available in a customizable version to add your basic event details.‍Size: 11''x17'' or 24''x36''

Letterhead

Utilize this letterhead when making formal asks to community partners or guests to join your event. If you're an overachiever, you can put all of your official Global Shabbat program outlines in this document.

Photo Watermark

Go all out to make your Global Shabbat space feel special and memorable. Be sure to order these items at least two weeks before your event to avoid any rush fees.

Welcome Board

Place this board outside of your event entrance so everyone knows they're in the right place.‍Suggested vendor: VistaprintInstructions: Order from Vistaprint (or any local print shop) a 22”x28” full-colorfoam core board.Ballpark price: $40

Vinyl Banner

Place this banner at the heart of your event. Be sure it's visible for any special photo moments.

Suggested vendor: Echod GraphicsInstructions: Select vinyl banners > 13 oz. vinyl banner > 4’Hx8’W. Depending on your space add grommets or pockets for hanging. Grommets are recommended every two feet and work with command hooks. Pockets are great if you already have a banner stand. Upload artwork after you order and be sure to get a proof.Ballpark price: $50

Step and Repeat

Order a step and repeat to make everyone feel like a VIP. Bring additional props and throw a red carpet in front of the step and repeat to really go big.

Suggested vendor: Echod GraphicsInstructions: Select vinyl banners > 13 oz. vinyl banner > 8’Hx10’W or 8'Hx8'W > 0 grommets, Pockets on top and bottom only (no hems). Upload artwork after you order and be sure to get a proof. Buy a stand for your step and repeat here.Ballpark price: $100

Shabbat Shalom Sign

Backup Sign-In Sheet

We recommend that your event sign-in be online through a form, but we know things happen. Maybe your venue doesn't have WiFi or the sign-in link isn't working. Whatever the case may be, print out a few dozen copies of this sign-in form to ensure you capture the information of everyone at your event.

Customizable Program Book

Table Runner

Suggested Vendor: Totally Promotional‍Instructions: Select one of the 'best sellers' and find a size that works for your budget. Upload the AZA and BBG seal or BBYO logo for the front.Ballpark price: $30/item

Quotes & Values Signage

Be sure you have all of the supplies you need to run a Shabbat. Many of these general Judaic pieces can be borrowed from family members or synagogues if you ask, but feel free to order a set for your chapter too! Be sure to order these items at least two weeks before your event to avoid any rush fees.

Friday Night Shabbat Candles

Candle Holders

About Global Shabbat (One Sheet)

Program Framing Script

Global Shabbat makes us feel like a Movement because it's happening in hundreds of cities around the world. Use this script to open and close your events, so participants feel a part of something bigger.

Inviting and Hosting Gamechanger Guests In Your Community

Interfaith and Cross-Cultural Shabbat Program Starters

We encourage chapters and communities to bring the theme of Global Shabbat to life by sharing experiences with interfaith, cross-cultural, and/or vulnerable populations in the community. Get some ideas for how to bridge communities together.

See You Next Time Cards

Hand these out at the end of your event to invite your friends to the next big thing (hint: Spring Kickoff or Winter Convention). These are customizable for you to share information about your next event.

Instructions: Order from Vistaprint (or similarprinting company) a 3.5"x2" full-color business card.Ballpark price: $10 for set

Local Press Release Template

Want to share the news about your local or regional Global Shabbat event? Edit this customizable press release template to showcase your program and send out to local media contacts ASAP. Share the success of your Global Shabbat experience and make sure to tag @bbyoinsider on social, too, so we can help spread the word!

About Us

The Aleph Zadik Aleph (AZA) and the B’nai B’rith Girls (BBG) are a fraternity and sorority for Jewish teens—together, we are BBYO. Since our founding in 1924 (AZA) and 1944 (BBG), we have been member-led. Our priorities and programs reflect the interests and issues that matter most to us. Our pursuits are as diverse as our participants.

AZA and BBG welcome Jewish teens of all backgrounds, denominational affiliation, gender, sexual orientations, and socio-economic status as well as those with a range of intellectual, emotional, and physical abilities.